Self-monitoring composite vessel for high pressure media

Abstract

A high pressure media storage vessel including a wall made of at least one layer with barrier and piezoelectric properties.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This is a National Phase Application in the United States of International Patent Application PCT / EP 2011 / 052727 filed Feb. 24, 2011, which claims priority on International Patent PCT / IB2010 / 050800 of Feb. 24, 2010. The entire disclosures of the above patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to the field of barrier liners for the storage of high pressure media and more specifically, barrier liners with a self-sensing capability.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Hollow structures, or pressure vessels, here referred to as ‘vessels’ such as those used to store fluids and gases, particularly under pressure, such as pressurized gas tanks are generally made from metals such as steel or aluminium, or from composite materials.[0004]Storage of certain media requires a barrier liner within the vessel to prevent loss or vessel structural damage. For example gases in composite tanks (p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides an improved method for monitoring the pressure inside a high pressure media storage vessel through the use of a self-sensing liner with high barrier performance. The liner materials used in this method exhibit both excellent barrier and piezoelectric effects, allowing for real-time monitoring of pressure and temperature in the vessel. The high sensitivity of piezoelectric materials enables small variations in pressure to be detected, leading to earlier detection of leakage and increased safety. The liner materials can be further modified or treated to improve their barrier properties and provide additional functionalities such as electrical contacts. The incorporation of strain sensors into the shell material, such as optical fibers with Bragg grate sensors, can also be used for early detection of critical sized flaws and their corresponding location, providing further margin of safety at high pressure.

Problems solved by technology

For example gases in composite tanks (permeability levels of pure composite too high leading to gas loss) or hydrogen in steel vessels (possibility of embrittlement).

Drawbacks of existing technology for pressure sensing in vessels comprise the necessary requirements for additional parts to be fixed postproduction, involving extra costs and fabrication steps.

In addition, most pressure gauges are fitted to the tank only during service, so during storage and / or transportation phases, the pressure level in the tank is often unknown.

An externally mounted pressure gauge is unlikely to have the sensitivity to detect minute leaks in a vessel due to the initiation of sub-critical flaws in the tank or liner structure unless it has been specifically designed to do so, which is costly.

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